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NAFLD associated with severe acute pancreatitis

PHILADELPHIA — Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease had a greater prevalence of moderate to severe acute pancreatitis compared with patients without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, according to data presented at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting.

Researchers analyzed pooled data from two medical centers of 574 patients with acute pancreatitis. All patients were divided into two groups: those with NAFLD (n=193) and those without it (n=381). Patients’ acute pancreatitis severity was measured through bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score and modified Atlanta classification (MAC), and researchers calculated the number of visits to the ICU, the mean length of stay and mortality for both groups.

According to the results, patients with NAFLD had a greater mean BISAP score than non-NAFLD patients (0.813 ± 0.97 vs. 0.544 ± 0.75) and greater prevalence of moderate to severe acute pancreatitis (84 vs. 30). The mean length of hospital stay also was greater in patients with NAFLD compared with non-NAFLD patients (7.14 ± 7.77 vs. 5.34 ± 6.64), as well as the number of admissions to the ICU (31 vs. 17) and mortality rate (2.6% vs. 0.3%). 

“NAFLD is associated with poor prognosis in patients with [acute pancreatitis],” the researchers concluded. “Initial abdominal [ultrasound] can be used to predict the severity of [acute pancreatitis] and not solely to determine a biliary etiology.”

For more information:

Jasdanwala S. Abstract P1318. Presented at: ACG Annual Scientific Meeting, Oct. 17-22, 2014; Philadelphia.

Disclosure: Relevant financial disclosures were not provided by researchers.